In Spain

28th Jamón de Teruel PDO Fair(XXVIII Feria del Jamón de Teruel y Alimentos de Calidad )

This year, the 28th Teruel Ham and Quality Food Fair is set to take place from 7to 16 September at the Exhibition and Congress Centre in Teruel (Aragón), occupying a total area of 3,600 m2.

A whole host of activities will be running during this always popular event, including exhibitions, competitions, tastings, displays and prizes. A wide-ranging program that is bound to attract gourmet food lovers, who can try and buy the very best products the Aragón region has to offer.

As part of the schedule of activities and competitions, the 13th National Cutters' Competition, which is held on the last day of the fair, is one of the most eagerly awaited for its fame and importance. In the competition, ten of the best ham cutters in the country demonstrate their cutting skills with Teruel cured ham and compete for the top prize worth 2,000 euros. This is regarded as one of the leading events of its kind in the country by the National Cutters' Association.

Another activity running at the fair is the 8th "Jamón de Teruel" Tapas Competition, involving a tapas route around the city and province of Teruel. Visitors doing the route can try a number of tapas featuring the main ingredient of Teruel cured ham in all the participating bars and restaurants.

Still on the subject of prizes, another attraction at the fair is the "Teruel Quality Prize", awarded to the producer or seller of the best Designation of Origin Teruel ham. Competitors present four whole pieces of cured ham and a notary selects one of them in a draw. The official cutter then removes the rind and cuts off shavings for the judging panel to taste. The cutter gives their assessment of how easy the ham is to cut and how well-cured it is, and finally the tasting panel give their scores for appearance, aroma and flavor.

And all this is only a taster of what's planned for the fair! Courses, tastings, sampling... So make this event a definite date in your gourmet food diary. It's a great chance to find out more about Teruel cured ham and try its delicious flavor for yourself.